Diary of a Semi-Health Nut

ramblings + recipes of a semi-healthy nut

Do Apples Wake You Better than Coffee?

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-Quercetin,

is a polyphenolic flavonoid found in apples that has been shown to provide antioxidant effects. It has also been shown to increase oxygen levels. Over a seven day period, participants in a study who were given quercetin had improved VO2 max levels, or a higher oxygen capacity as well as overall endurance. The higher the oxygen levels in the body, the more oxygen is available to the brain, therefore the quercetin in apples can likely help wake you up.

-Dietary polyphenols 

found in apples are also thought to have a positive effect on blood sugar regulation. Although there are many sugars and carbohydrates in apples, apples’ polyphenol content might help to stop the blood sugar spike, making apples a healthy way to obtain energy.

Aside from the start-up effect of eating an apple, this powerhouse of a fruit is also has other health benefits.

warm spiced crockpot applesauce with cinnamon #apples #slowcooker

[ Warm Spiced Crockpot Applesauce ]

-Apples have been shown to be good for lung capacity. According to Livestrong.com, eating just 5 apples per week can result in higher lung capacity. (I guess “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” was about right.)

-The type of fiber found in an apple may also help lower the risk of heart disease.

-The vitamin C in apples is a great antioxidant that protects the body from infection and disease.

-The combination of fructose, fiber, carbohydrates and water also make an apple a great pre-workout snack.

So which is better to grab when you wake up? A cup of coffee or an apple?

apple massacre of 2013 #icantpeelapples

The facts seem to point to an apple. Although you won’t see me giving up my java any time soon, it’s good to know that a simple apple is a great form of energy. I just might start eating this delicious fruit before my workouts. use this one amanda   Tell me… Would you give up your daily cup for an apple? What is your favorite pre-workout fuel?  

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Comments

  1. I love apples! My favorite fruit and I eat them practically every day. (Plus when you add in some almond butter…well that is just a match made in Heaven!)

  2. So interesting! I love apples and usually eat one for a morning snack…maybe I am secretly eating them for a morning pick me up?!

  4. I like this idea! I wonder if it would be worth coming up with an easy baked (or microwaved?) apple recipe to go with this idea if you have a bunch of haters (slash coffee lovers!). 😉 Maybe one that includes cinnamon that helps even your blood sugar? Or maybe a recipe already exists. I’m just thinking that the last thing I want in the AM is an apple bc it’s soooo cold in the morning!

    • You know I’ve never been a fan of baked fruit. I am obviously un-American. Maybe cinnamon applesauce though?? I’ve been thinking about homemade applesauce for a couple of months now! Just need to get on it!!

      And yeah the high here was a whole 6 degrees today. Tomorrow it’s zero. Bleh.

  5. This is awesome. I had no idea apples can wake you up! I naturally crave them in the morning… I guess my body is more informed than my brain.

    • You crave apples in the morning?? That really is awesome!! I’m quite jealous actually because a lot of times I’m not too hungry in the mornings but I NEED to eat something before work or I will die mid-shift!

  7. Good thing I usually start my day with both! It’s no mystery how much of an apple addict I am, and usually have 2-3 a day. Must be why I’m a runner too with all that lung capacity ; )

  8. There was actually an article about this I read on the weekend- its amazing how something you wouldn’t associate with caffeine can have better effects! I usually train fasted but on the odd occasion when I train mid day- I would so consider having an apple for a pre workout!

  9. Love this! I’m not a coffee drinker, only the occasional latte treat a few times a year. I always have my apples in the afternoon or evening. Maybe I’ll have to switch to the morning! 🙂

  10. This is awesome! I love coffee, but honestly, since I stopped drinking it REGULARLY last summer, I could take it or leave it now! Hmm, I might try grabbing an apple when I first wake up tomorrow to see if that can get me out the door to the gym. The last few days I’ve been waking up and wanting to gnaw my arm off…and well, I’m one of those people who, if I don’t go STRAIGHT to the gym when waking, it’s just not gonna happen! Ohh, time for an experiment! 😀

    • It’s totally time for an experiment! I can’t workout on an empty stomach, so if I ever decide to start doing morning workouts (maybe in the summer again lol), I’ll have apples on hand!

      PS Don’t gnaw your arm off! How hard would it be to make pancakes with only one arm?! 🙂

  11. I don’t know if I could trade my coffee for an apple first thing in the morning, but later in the day I think it would be an awesome pick-me-up I should be getting more of! Oh and not to forget: apple and nut butter = best afternoon snack everrrr… 😉

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